Potential for a Basin-Centered 

Gas Accumulation in the 

Albuquerque Basin, New Mexico

By Ronald C. Johnson, Thomas M. Finn, and Vito F. Nuccio

U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 2184-C

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey

Geologic Studies of Basin-Centered Gas Systems

Edited by Vito F. Nuccio and Thaddeus S. Dyman

This work funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, National 

Energy Technology Laboratory, Morgantown, W. Va., under 

contracts DE-AT26-98FT40031 and DE-AT26-98FT40032, and by the 

U.S. Geological Survey Central Region Energy Resources Team
U.S. Department of the Interior

Gale A. Norton, Secretary

U.S. Geological Survey

Charles G. Groat, Director

Any use of trade, product, or fi rm names in this publication

is for descriptive purposes only and does not

imply endorsement by the U.S. Government

This publication is only available online at:

http://geology.cr.usgs.gov/pub/bulletins/b2184-c/

Posted online July 2001, version 1.0
III

Contents

Abstract.......................................................................................................................................................... 1

Introduction ................................................................................................................................................... 1

Structure and Stratigraphy ......................................................................................................................... 3

Drilling Activity in the Albuquerque Basin................................................................................................ 5

Borehole Temperature Data........................................................................................................................ 8

Burial Reconstructions for the Albuquerque Basin.............................................................................. 10

Formation Pressures .................................................................................................................................. 15

Conclusions ................................................................................................................................................. 20

References Cited ........................................................................................................................................ 20

Figures

 1. General location map of selected basins and uplifts along the 

Rio Grand rift, Colorado and New Mexico ............................................................................... 2

 2. Generalized stratigraphic chart for the Albuquerque Basin................................................. 4

 3. Generalized geologic map of the Albuquerque Basin showing 

deep drill holes and seismic lines.............................................................................................. 6

 4. Interpreted west-east cross section based on seismic data for the 

northern part of the Albuquerque Basin................................................................................... 7

 5. Interpreted west-east cross section based on seismic data for the 

central part of the Albuquerque Basin ..................................................................................... 7

 6. Interpreted west-east cross section based on seismic data for the 

southern part of the Albuquerque Basin .................................................................................. 8

 7. Plot of bottom-hole temperatures versus depths for all wells listed in table 3.................. 9

 8. Isopach map of the combined Eocene Galisteo and Baca Formations,

Albuquerque Basin..................................................................................................................... 12

 9. Isopach map of the combined Eocene Galisteo and Baca Formations 

and unnamed “unit of Isleta No. 2 well” of Lozinski (1994) in the 

Shell No. 2 Isleta well................................................................................................................. 13

 10. Isopach map of the total present-day thickness of Tertiary rocks in the 

Albuquerque Basin using subsurface drill-hole data of Lozinski (1994) ........................... 14

 11. Stratigraphic diagrams showing present-day thicknesses and ages 

of rocks from the Dakota Sandstone to the present in the three wells 

used for burial reconstructions................................................................................................ 16

 12. Burial reconstruction showing depths and temperatures for the 

Shell No. 3 Santa Fe well........................................................................................................... 17

 13. Burial reconstruction showing depths and temperatures for the 

Shell No. 1 Santa Fe well........................................................................................................... 17
IV

 14. Burial reconstruction showing depths and temperatures in for the 

Shell No. 1-24 West Mesa well ................................................................................................ 18

 15. Rate of gas generation per million years at the base of the Cretaceous 

Mancos Shale in the Shell No. 1-24 West Mesa well .......................................................... 18

 16. Graph of mud weight versus depth for the eight wells listed in table 4 ............................ 19

Tables

 1. List of oil and gas tests in the Albuquerque Basin.................................................................. 3

 2. Histogram showing exploration activity in the Albuquerque Basin 

from 1900 to 1984........................................................................................................................... 9

 3. List of deep oil and gas tests in the Albuquerque Basin...................................................... 10

 4. Bottom-hole temperatures recorded during logging runs for selected 

deep tests in the Albuquerque Basin...................................................................................... 11

 5. List of mud weights recorded during logging runs for selected deep 

tests in the Albuquerque Basin................................................................................................ 19
Abstract

The potential that a basin-centered or continuous-type gas 

accumulation is present in the Albuquerque Basin in central 

New Mexico was investigated. The Albuquerque Basin is one 

of the many rift basins that make up the Rio Grand rift system, 

an area of active extension from Oligocene to recent time. 

The basin is signifi cantly different from other Rocky Mountain 

basins that contain basin-centered gas accumulations because 

it is actively subsiding and is at near maximum burial and 

heating conditions at the present time. Burial reconstructions 

suggest that Cretaceous-age source rocks began to generate 

gas in the deeper parts of the basin about 20 million years ago 

and are still generating large amounts of gas. The high mud 

weights typically used while drilling the Cretaceous interval 

in the deeper areas of the basin suggest some degree of overpressuring. Gas shows are commonly reported while drilling 

through the Cretaceous interval; however, attempts to complete 

gas wells in the Cretaceous have resulted in subeconomic 

quantities of gas, primarily because of low permeabilities. 

Little water has been reported. All of these characteristics suggest that a basin-centered gas accumulation of some sort is 

present in the Albuquerque Basin. 

Introduction

The Albuquerque Basin occupies the central portion of 

the Rio Grande rift system, an area of presently active extensional tectonics that reaches from the Upper Arkansas Valley 

near Leadville, Colo., southward through New Mexico to the 

State of Chihuahua, Mexico (fi g. 1). The Rio Grande rift is 

part of the greater Basin and Range Province, which has been 

undergoing extension since Oligocene time.

For the past 24 years, the U.S. Geological Survey has 

been studying basin-centered gas accumulations in Rocky 

Mountain basins under various projects funded by what is 

now the United States Department of Energy National Energy 

Technology Lab (NETL) in Morgantown, W. Va. These investigations have added greatly to our understanding of how these 

“unconventional” accumulations formed. Basin-centered continuous-type gas accumulations cover vast areas of the deeper 

parts of Rocky Mountain basins formed during the Laramide 

orogeny (Late Cretaceous through Eocene) and appear to contain huge resources of in-place gas. These “unconventional” 

gas accumulations are different from conventional gas accumulations in that they occur in predominantly tight (< 0.1 

millidarcy) rocks, cut across stratigraphic units, occur downdip 

from water-bearing reservoirs, and have no obvious structural 

or stratigraphic trapping mechanism. Reservoirs within the 

accumulations are almost always either abnormally overpressured or abnormally underpressured, indicating that they are 

isolated from the regional ground-water table. 

The Albuquerque Basin was chosen for study because its 

geologic history is signifi cantly different from other Rocky 

Mountain basins that contain identifi ed basin-centered gas 

accumulations. Like other Laramide basins, the Albuquerque 

Basin contains a thick interval of Cretaceous-age coals, carbonaceous shales, and marine shales. In Laramide basins, Cretaceous-age source rocks are thought to be the source for 

gas found in basin-centered gas accumulations. The Albuquerque Basin is currently actively subsiding, whereas subsidence 

largely ceased at the end of the Laramide orogeny near the 

end of the Eocene in most other basins in the Rocky Mountain 

region. Laramide basins have undergone signifi cant erosion 

and cooling within the last 10 million years as a result of 

regional uplift of the entire Rocky Mountain region. Rates 

of gas generation in Laramide basins have markedly declined 

since regional uplift began. In fact, gas generation has probably ceased altogether in all but the deeper areas of these 

basins. Thus, gas is probably not being replenished to these 

accumulations as fast as it is leaking out, causing these accumulations to actively shrink.

In the Albuquerque Basin, source rocks for hydrocarbons 

are at near-maximum burial and heating conditions throughout 

the deeper areas of the basin. Gas is being generated by these 

source rocks today, and this gas is probably migrating and 

accumulating in Upper Cretaceous sandstones at the present 

time. Whether or not this gas may be creating a basin-centeredtype gas accumulation is the subject of this report. 

Potential for a Basin-Centered 

Gas Accumulation in the 

Albuquerque Basin, New Mexico

By Ronald C. Johnson, Thomas M. Finn, and Vito F. Nuccio

1
v

v

v

v v

Normal fault

Thrust fault

High-angle reverse fault

Cenozoic sedimentary rocks (rift fill)

Tertiary volcanic rocks

Precambrian crystalline rocks

EXPLANATION

108° 104°

40°

37°

32°

COLORADO

NEW

MEXICO

Upper Arkansas graben San Luis Basin

San Juan volcanic field

Nacimiento uplift

Santo Domingo Basin

Albuquerque Basin

Lucero uplift

Landron uplift

San Agustin

Basin

Black Range

uplift

Cuchillo Negra

uplift

Eagle Basin

Palomas Basin

Mimbres Basin

Potrillo volcanic

field

Sangre De Cristo

uplift

Espanñola Basin

Sandia uplift

Manzano uplift

Los Pinos uplift

Socorro constriction

San Marcial Basin

Fra Cristobal uplift

Sacramento uplift

Caballo uplift

Jornada uplift

Tularosa uplift

Mesilla Basin

San Juan

 Basin

Figure 1. General location map of selected basins and uplifts along the Rio Grand rift, Colorado 

and New Mexico. Approximate location of San Juan Basin also shown (modifi ed from Russell and 

Snelson, 1994).

2 Geologic Studies of Basin-Centered Gas Systems
Structure and Stratigraphy

The Rio Grande rift is a series of generally north-southtrending en echelon extensional basins that reach from central 

Colorado to at least southern New Mexico (Chapin, 1971, 

1979). The basin contains a thick section of sedimentary rocks 

ranging in age from Mississippian to Holocene (fi g. 2). Rifting 

began about 32 to 27 million years ago in middle Oligocene 

time and is probably still occurring at the present time. The 

Table 1. List of oil and gas tests in the Albuquerque Basin (modified from Black, 1982). 

Well name Location Year Total depth (ft) Total depth (m) Remarks 

1. Tejon Oil & Dev. 1 7-14N-6E 1914 1850 564 Show of oil at 1,000 ft 

2. Cal-New Mexico Dechares 1 8-6N-1E 1925 2900 884 Shows of oil and gas 

3. Stone 1 25-7N-2E 1926 1405 428 

4. Belen Oil 1 Seipple 23-4N-1E 1926 3545 1081 Show of oil 

5. Gilmore & Sheldon 1 Tome Grant 30-6N-2E 1926 1180 360 

6. Hub Oil-HNTH 1 13-6N-1W 1926 3425 1044 

7. Stone Horeland 1 32-7N-2E 1927 2144 653 Show of oil 

8. Gilmore and Sheldon Tome 1 30-6N-3E 1928 1100 335 

9. Stone 2 25-7N-2E 1928 1976 602 Show of oil 

10. Norris 2 22-9N-1E 1928 2780 847 

11. Harlan 1 Harlan 5-6N-2E 1930 4223 1287 Show of oil 

12. Harlan 2 5-6N-2E 1930 4021 1225 

13. Harlan 3 5-6N-2E 1931 6474 1973 Several gas shows 

14. Harlan 4 5-6N-2E 1931 3820 1164 Shows of oil and gas 

15. Harlan 5 5-6N-2E 1931 4007 1221 Several gas shows 

16. Norins Pajarito 1 Grant 22-9N-1E 1931 5104 1556 Numerous oil and gas shows 

17. West 1 Natural Resources 8-6N-1E 1932 1725 526 

18. Mills 2 Tome 9-6N-3E 1932 446 136 

19. Mills 1 Tome 29-6N-3E 1933 507 155 

20. Ringle Dev. 1 Fee 36-6N-3E 1935 1115 340 

21. Ringle Dev. 1 Fuqua 13-5N-3E 1935 100 30 

22. Norins 1 N. Alb. Acres 19-11N-4E 1935 573 175 

23. Norins 2 N. Alb. Acres 19-11N-4E 1935 5024 1531 Show of CO2

24. Ringle Dev. Co. 1 Ringle 6-5N-2E 1935 750 261 

25. Big Three Dalies Townsite 1 5-6N-1E 1937 6113 1863 Numerous oil shows 

26. Central New Mexico 1 Brown 17-3N-1E. 1937 2840 866 Numerous oil and gas shows 

27. Norins 3 Pajarito 22-9N-1E 1938 2780 847 

28. Joiner Sanclemente 1 23-7N-1E 1939 5606 1709 Shows of gas 

29. Grober 1 Fuqua 19-5N-3E 1940 3978 1212 Lots of gas at TD 

30. Ringle 1 Tome 34-6N-4E 1947 823 286 25–50 MCFPD from Penn. 

31. Ringle 2 Tome 35-6N-4E 1947 890 271 Oil show 

32. Ringle 3 Tome 34-6N-4E 1947 597 181 

33. Castleberry 1 Tome 20-6N-4E 1947 500 152 

34. Carpenter Alrosco 1 28-10N-1E 1948 6652 2027 

35. Von G 1 5-6N-1E 1949 6096 1858 Numerous oil and gas shows 

36. Long Dalies 1 32-7N-1E 1952 6091 1857 Slight show of oil and gas with DST 

37. Humble 1 Santa Fe 18-6N-1W 1953 12691 3868 Gas-cut mud with DST, TD in Cret. 

38. Shell 1 Santa Fe 18-13N-3E 1972 11045 3387 Oil & gas shows in Cret., TD in Precamb. 

39. Shell 1 Laguna Wilson Trust 8-9N-1W 1972 11115 3410 Gas shows, TD in Precambrian 

40. Shell 2 Santa Fe 29-6N-1W 1974 14305 4360 Gas shows, TD in Triassic 

41. Shell 1 Isleta 7-7N-2E 1974 16346 4982 Gas & oil with DST in Cret., TD in Perm.

42. Shell 3 Santa Fe 28-13N-1E 1976 10276 3132 Minor gas shows, TD in Triassic 

43. Trans Ocean 1 Isleta 8-8N-3E 1978 10378 3163 Gas shows, TD in Precambrian 

44. Shell 2 Isleta 16-8N-2E 1979 21268 6482 Did not reach Cret. rocks 

45. Shell 1 West Mesa Fed. 24-11N-1E 1981 19375 5906 Several hundred MCF in Point Lookout Ss

46. Utex 1-1J1E 1-10N-1E 1984 16665 5079 TD in Point Lookout Ss. 

47. Davis 1 Tamara 3-13N-3E 1996 8732 2662 Minor oil and gas shows, TD in Chinle Fm

48. Davis 1 Angel Eyes 19-4N-1E 1996 8074 2461 TD in Tertiary 

49. Twinning 1 NFT 33-5N.-1E 1997 7441 2268 

50. Burlington-Westland 1Y 21-10N-1E 1997 7800 2377 Minor oil and gas shows, TD in Chinle Fm

Potential for a Basin-Centered Gas Accumulation in the Albuquerque Basin, New Mexico 3
MiocenePliocene

Miocene-Olig.

100 - 1,000 ft Eocene Mancos Shale Mancos Shale

Synrift basin-fill sandstone, shale, and conglomerate.

Volcaniclastic rocks and flows.

Pre-rift nonmarine red shale and sandstone.

(Called Blanco Basin Formation in northern New Mexico and Colorado.)

Unconformity truncates Cretaceous section.

*of Crevase Canyon Formation.

Tocito and Semilla Sandstone Members are discontinuous offshore bars.

Gallup and Dalton are northeasterly prograding sandstone

units that pinchout within the Albuquerque Basin.

Lower part ot Mancos Shale probably has oil-prone source rocks;

remainder is gas prone.

Also called Greenhorn Limestone Member.

Fluvial and marine sandstone and shale.

Major unconformity; truncates section to south.

Fluvial and lacustrine green & red shale and sandstone.

Lenticular eolian sandstone (Bluff or Junction Cr. Ss Mbr.).

Gypsiferous red shale.

Gypsum, limestone, and thin, organic-rich, black shale at base.

Widespread fine-grained eolian sandstone.

Floodplain, lacustrine, and fluvial variegated shale, sandstone, and

limestone; thickens to south where not truncated by Dakota.

Limestone, anhydrite, and gray shale; pinches out to north.

Widespread light-colored, quartzose, dominantly shallow marine sandstone.

Thin and marginal marine on north; thickens and becomes more marine

to south.

Red eolian sandstone on north; grades to finer grained sandstone and

siltstone to south. (Meseta Blanca Ss Mbr of Wood and Northrop, 1946.)

Nonmarine red-bed unit.

Marginal marine unit present only in southern part.

Good source rocks and reservoirs not documented. A few oil and gas shows

reported in Esrancia Basin east of Manzano Mountains. No significant oil or

gas indications reported in Albuquerque Basin.

Mississippian probably is missing in most of basin

COMMENTS

Santa Fe Group

5000 - 20,000 ft

(1525 - 6100 m)

Menefee Fm

Abiquiu - Picuris Espinaso Fms

Pt Lookout Ss

Gibson Coal Mbr*

Dalton Ss Mbr*

Tocito Ss Lentil

Dilco Coal Mbr*

Gallup Ss

Semilla Ss Mbr

Bridge Cr Ls Mbr

Dakota Ss

Morrison Fm

Wanakah Fm

Todilto Ls Mbr

Entrada Ss

Chinle Fm

Galisteo, Baca, &

Blanco Basin Fms

400 -3,000 ft (120 - 915 m)

San Andres Ls

Glorieta Ss

Yeso Fm

De Chelly Ss (Meseta Blanco)

Abo Fm

Bursum Fm

Madera

Limestone

400 - 2,500 ft

(120 - 760 m)

Mississippian 0 - 190 ft (0 - 58 m)

Precambrian

basement complex

Mancos

Shale

Upper Cretaceous

0 - 4,000 ft (0 - 1220 m)

Jurassic

0 - 1,000 ft(0 - 305 m)

Triassic

500 - 1,600 ft(150 - 490 m)

Permian

1,000 - 2,000 ft (305 - 610 m)

Pennsylvanian

400 - 2,700 ft(120 - 825 m)

R

SR (gas)

R

R

SR (oil)

R

R

R

SR (oil)

R

R

R

R?

SR?

Menefee contains coal and carbonaceous shale, a gas-prone source rock.

R

(30 - 305 m)

Figure 2. Generalized stratigraphic chart for the Albuquerque Basin (from Molenaar, 1988b). R, potential reservoir rock; SR, 

potential source rock.

4 Geologic Studies of Basin-Centered Gas Systems
Albuquerque Basin covers an area of about 2,160 mi2 (5,600 

km2) and is one of the deepest basins along the Rio Grande 

rift (Lozinsky, 1994). In 1979, Shell drilled a well to a depth 

of 21,266 ft (no. 44 on table 1) in one of the deepest parts of 

the basin and did not reach the base of Oligocene or younger 

rift fi ll. Seismic data published by Russell and Snelson (1994) 

demonstrates that the basin generally consists of a deep inner 

graben fl anked by shallower benches (fi gs. 3–6). The inner 

graben in the northern part of the basin is tilted eastward (fi g. 

5), whereas, in the southern part, the graben is tilted westward 

(fi g. 6). An east-west zone of accommodation occurs between 

these two oppositely tilted blocks. 

Of importance to this investigation is a pre-Eocene 

unconformity that has removed varying amounts of the Cretaceous section in northern New Mexico, including the Albuquerque Basin area. The Cretaceous section contains both 

source and principal reservoir rocks for basin-centered gas 

accumulations in other Rocky Mountain basins, and, had the 

Cretaceous section been largely removed by this unconformity, 

there would be little chance that a basin-centered accumulation 

would be present in the basin. Both surface control on the 

fl anks of the Albuquerque Basin and subsurface control within 

the basin indicate that much of the Cretaceous section is intact, 

although the Cretaceous section is completely removed in the 

Espanola Basin to the north (Molenaar, 1988b). Cretaceous 

strata in the Albuquerque Basin are similar to the highly gas 

productive Cretaceous interval in the San Juan Basin to the 

north (fi g. 1), and many of the same stratigraphic names are 

used in both basins (fi g. 2).

Drilling Activity in the 

Albuquerque Basin

The Albuquerque Basin has been sparsely explored for 

hydrocarbons. At the present time there is no established 

hydrocarbon production in the basin (table 1). At least 50 

wells have been drilled for hydrocarbons in the basin, with 

the oldest known test drilled in 1914. Drilling prior to 1953 

was mainly shallow, penetrating only the Tertiary fi ll (table 

2) (Black, 1982). Numerous oil and gas shows were reported 

with these shallow tests. After 1953, the Cretaceous section 

beneath the Tertiary fi ll became the primary target for exploration (Black 1982). 

Between 1972 and 1976 Shell drilled fi ve deep tests in the 

basin (fi g. 3, table 1), targeting Cretaceous rocks in the deeper, 

hotter parts of the basin where Cretaceous source rocks are 

believed to have generated hydrocarbons (Black, 1999). The 

fi rst well, the Shell No. 1 Santa Fe in sec. 18, T. 13 N., R. 

3 E. was drilled in 1972 to a depth of 11,045 ft (3,387 m) 

and bottomed in Precambrian basement. The second well, the 

Shell No. 1 Laguna Wilson Trust in sec. 8, T. 9. N., R. 1 W. 

was drilled in 1972 to a depth of 11,115 ft (3,410 m) and also 

bottomed in Precambrian basement. The third well, the Shell 

No. 2 Santa Fe in sec. 26, T. 6 N., R. 1 W. was drilled in 1974 

to a depth of 14,305 ft (4,360 m) and bottomed in Triassic 

rocks. All three wells encountered gas shows in the Cretaceous 

section, but no completions were attempted. In 1974, Shell 

drilled the No. 1 Isleta well in sec. 7, T. 7 N., R. 2 E. (fi g. 

3, tables 1, 3). The well penetrated the top of the Cretaceous 

section at 12,110 ft (3,691 m). It encountered a series of faults 

near the base of the nonmarine Cretaceous section, and the 

Dakota Sandstone—the primary objective of the test—was 

cut out by faulting. According to Black (1982, p. 315) the 

well encountered “tight” gas-saturated sandstones in the nonmarine Cretaceous interval. Several intervals were perforated 

in the nonmarine part of the Cretaceous between 12,209 ft 

and 13,246 ft (3,721–4,037 m), and noncommercial amounts 

of gas were produced. Maximum reported production was 29 

thousand cubic feet of gas per day (MCFGPD) between 13,210 

and 13,226 ft (4,026–4,031 m). In 1976, Shell drilled the No. 3 

Santa Fe well in sec. 28, T. 13 N., R. 3 E. to a depth of 10,276 

ft (3,132 m) that bottomed in the Triassic. Again, gas shows 

were encountered in the Cretaceous. 

In 1978, Shell farmed out part of their acreage to Trans 

Ocean, who drilled the No. 1 Isleta well in sec. 8, T. 8 N., 

R. 3 E. to a depth of 10,378 ft (3,163 ft). The well bottomed 

in Precambrian basement and encountered gas shows in the 

Cretaceous. In 1979, Shell drilled the No. 2 Isleta well in 

sec. 16, T. 8 N., R. 2 E. The well was drilled to a depth 

of 21,268 ft (6,482 m) and did not reach Cretaceous rocks. 

In 1980 and 1981, Shell drilled the Shell 1 West Mesa well 

in sec. 24, T. 11 N, R. 1 E. to a 19,375 ft. and reportedly 

fl ared several hundred thousand cubic feet of gas per day from 

the Cretaceous section (Black, 1989). The well was eventually 

plugged and abandoned apparently because rates of production were insuffi cient at these drilling depths to be economic. 

In 1984, Utex drilled the No. 1-1J1E well in sec. 1, T. 10 

N, R. 1 E. to a depth of 16,665 ft (5,079 m) (table 1). The 

well reportedly bottomed in the Point Lookout Sandstone at 

16,665 ft (5,079 m); however, Black (1999) believes that the 

well bottomed in the Tertiary. No tests or completions were 

attempted, and only minor gas shows were reported in the 

well.

Low oil prices in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s brought 

a halt to oil and gas exploration in the Albuquerque Basin. 

Exploration resumed in 1996 with Davis Oil drilling two 

tests—the No. 1 Tamara well in sec. 3, T. 13 N., R. 3 E. and 

the No. 1 Angel Eyes well in sec. 19, T. 4 N., R. 1 E. (fi g. 3). 

The No. 1 Tamara well bottomed in the Triassic Chinle Formation at a depth of 8,732 ft (2,662 m) and reported minor shows 

of oil and gas. The No. 1 Angel Eyes well bottomed in the 

Tertiary at a depth of 8074 ft (2,461 m) with no information 

on oil and gas shows (Black, 1999). Two additional tests were 

drilled in 1997—the Twining Drilling Corp No. 1 NFT, a 

7,441-ft test of the Tertiary in sec. 33, T. 5 N., R. 1 E. and the 

Burlington Resources Westland Development Co. No. 1Y well 

in sec. 21, T. 10 N., R. 21 E., which bottomed in the Triassic 

Chinle at a depth of 7,800 ft (2,377 m). Minor oil and gas 

shows were reported in the No. 1Y well.

Potential for a Basin-Centered Gas Accumulation in the Albuquerque Basin, New Mexico 5
Quaternary alluvium

Tertiary-Quaternary sedimentary rocks

Tertiary volcanic rocks

Paleozoic-Mesozoic sedimentary rocks

Precambrian crystalline rocks

High mud weights used in Cretaceous

Normal fault

Reverse fault

Transcurrent fault

Fault of multiple displacement

10

3

1

13

14

9

18

6

4

7

12

8

2 11

5

0 10 20 Miles

0 10 20 Km

17

16

A 15

A'

B

B'

C

C'

Nacimento

Mtns

BERNALILLO Sandia

Mtns

ALBUQUERQUE

Rio

Grande

Manzanita

Mtns

Manzano

Mtns

Los

Pinos

Mtns

BERNARDO

Rio

Puerco

BELEN

Ladron

Mtns

Lucero Uplift

1 Shell Santa Fe-1, 11045', (P-C)

Shell Santa Fe-2, 14305', (Tr)

Shell Santa Fe-3, 10276', (Tr)

Shell Laguna-1, 11115', (P-C)

Shell Isleta-1, 16346', (P)

Shell Isleta-2, 21268', (Tert.)

Transocean Isleta-1, 10378', (P-C)

Humble Santa Fe-1, 12690', (UK)

Carpenter Atrisco-1, 6653', (Tert.)

Humble Santa Fe, B1, 6016', (P-C)

Grober-1, 6300', (Tert.)

Norrins Realty-2, 5024', (Tert.)

Shell 1-24 West Mesa, 19375', (Tr)

UTEX 1-1J1E, 16665' (UK)

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15 Davis 1 Tamara, 8732', (Tr)

16 Davis 1 Angel Eyes, 8074', (Tert.)

17 Twinning 1 NFT, 7441' (Tert)

18 Burlington 1Y, 7800' (Tr)

35 35

107

Figure 3. Generalized geologic map of the Albuquerque Basin showing deep drill holes and seismic 

lines (modifi ed from Russell and Snelson, 1994). Wells in which high (>10 lb) mud weights were used 

while drilling through the Cretaceous section are also shown. Depths listed are total depths in feet. Cross 

sections A-A’, B-B’, and C-C’ are shown in fi gures 4, 5, and 6, respectively.

6 Geologic Studies of Basin-Centered Gas Systems
10,000

Sea level

5,000

-5,000

-10,000-15,000-20,000-25,000-30,000

Feet

2.5

0

-2.5-5.0-7.5

-10.0

Km

Humble

Sante Fe B-1 West Mesa

fault

Shell

Sante Fe-3

Shell

Sante Fe-1 Rio

Grande Rio Grande fault San Francisco- Placitas fault 

HAG

EASTERN 

ALBUQUERQUE

BENCH NORTH GRABEN BLOCK COLORADO PLATEAU

WEST 

A 

Cenozoic rift fill* Mesozoic sedimentary rocks Paleozoic sedimentary rocks Precambrian crystalline roc

*Note: Pre-rift lower Tertiary section indicted Horizontal scale = vertical scale

where discernable on seismic or in wells

High

mud weights

Figure 4. Interpreted west-east cross section A-A’ based on seismic data for the northern part of the Albuquerque Basin. Line of section shown on fi gure 3. used in the Shell No. 3 Santa Fe while drilling the Cretaceous section (modifi ed from Russell and Snelson, 1984).

Cenozoic rift fill* Mesozoic sedimentary rocks Paleozoic sedimentary rocks Precambrian crystalline rock

*Note: Pre-rift lower Tertiary section indicted Horizontal scale = vertical scale

where decernable on seismic or in wells

10,000

Sea level

5,000

-5,000

-10,000-15,000-20,000-25,000-30,000

Feet

-35,000

2.5

0

-2.5-5.0-7.5

-10.0

Km Shell Laguna-1 Sante Fe

fault

Shell

Isleta-2 Rio

Grande

Hubble Springs

 fault

EAS

ALBUQUERQUE

BENCH

COLORADO NORTH GRABEN BLOCK

PLATEAU

B 

High

mud weights

West Mesa

fault

Transocean

Isleta-1

Rio Grande

Rio fault

Puerco 

LAGUNA

BENCH

LT

WEST 

Figure 5. Interpreted west-east cross section B-B’ based on seismic data for the central part of the Albuquerque Basin. Line of section shown on fi gure 3. H

used in the Transocean No. 2 Isleta while drilling the Cretaceous section (modifi ed from Russell and Snelson, 1984).
Borehole Temperature Data

Previous investigations have found that there is unusually 

high heat fl ow in the vicinity of the Rio Grande rift (Decker, 

1969; Reiter and others, 1975; Edwards and others, 1978; 

Clarkson and Reiter, 1984), although there is some suggestion 

that the area of high heat fl ow occurs across a broad area of 

New Mexico and southern Colorado and is not confi ned to 

the immediate vicinity of the rift (Edwards and others, 1978; 

Clarkson and Reiter, 1984). Many heat-fl ow measurements 

in the Albuquerque Basin area, however, have been taken at 

shallow depths. These heat-fl ow measurements can be affected 

by local ground-water convection and hence may not be good 

measurements of regional heat-fl ow patterns (Clarkson and 

Reiter, 1984).

Geothermal gradients calculated from temperatures 

recorded during logging runs in oil and gas tests are a less 

precise way to measure variations in heat fl ow because geothermal gradients vary among different lithologies. Nonetheless, geothermal gradients are commonly used because the data 

is readily available. Geothermal gradients were calculated by 

Grant (1982) for eight of the deepest boreholes in the basin. 

Grant (1982) calculated only one gradient for each hole using 

the temperature recorded at the bottom of the hole. Here, 

we calculated geothermal gradients for all the temperatures 

recorded while these eight holes were being drilled. Figure 7 is 

a plot of temperature versus depth for the eight drill holes. An 

average geothermal gradient was also calculated for each drill 

hole using all of the temperature readings taken. The standard 

AAPG (American Association of Petroleum Geologists) correction factor was applied to all of the recorded temperatures, 

and a mean annual surface temperature of 45°F (7°C) was 

used. A correction factor was applied to the readings because 

the rocks in the immediate vicinity of the borehole are 

quenched by comparatively cool mud circulated through the 

borehole during drilling. The time between when mud circulation stops and the temperature is recorded is seldom long 

enough for temperatures in the vicinity of the borehole to 

reequilibrate. 

Geothermal gradients calculated from different logging 

runs in the same drill hole were surprisingly consistent (table 

4). For instance, the eight individual geothermal gradients 

calculated for the Shell No. 1 Isleta hole varied from 

1.77°F/100 ft to 2.48°F/100 ft (3.23°–4.52°C/100 m). If 

only the six deepest temperatures are used, variation is only 

from 1.95°F/100 ft to 2.15°F/100 ft (3.56°–3.92°C/100 m). 

Shallower temperature readings in boreholes are generally 

less reliable than deeper readings, largely because of 

the greater times required for borehole temperatures to 

reequilibrate once mud circulation is stopped. Average 

geothermal gradients for the eight drill holes varied from 

1.7°F/100 ft to 2.3°F/100 ft (3.1°–4.2°C/100 m) (table 4). 

These values are not signifi cantly different from geothermal 

gradients throughout northern New Mexico (Geothermal 

Gradient Map of North America, 1976).

Precambrian crystalline rocksFault motion out of plane of section

Paleozoic sedimentary rocksFault motion into plane of section

Mesozoic sedimentary rocks Cenozoic rift fill*

Horizontal scale = vertical scale

*Note: Pre-rift lower Tertiary section indicted

where decernable on seismic or in wells

10,000

Sea level

-10,000-20,000-30,000

15,000

-5,000

-15,000-25,000-35,000

5,000

Feet

2.5

0

-2.5-5.0-7.5

-10.0

Km

5.0

Humble

Sante &

Pacific-1 Rio

Grande

Estancia

Basin

EASTERN STABLE BLOCK SOUTH GRABEN BLOCK COLORADO PLATEAU

C C'

High

mud weights

near here

Lucero uplift Comanche fault Santa Fe

fault

Cat Mesa

fault

RIO PUERCO

BLOCK

Rio

Puerco

ALBUQUERQUE

BENCH

Hubbell Springs

fault Montosa fault Manzano Mtns

Feet

15,00010,000

5,000

Sea level

-5,000

-10,000-15,000-20,000-25,000-30,000-35,000

?

Interpretive (no seismic)

 Limit ofseismic data

WEST EAST

Figure 6. Interpreted west-east cross section C-C’ based on seismic data for the southern part of the Albuquerque Basin. Line of section shown on fi gure 3. The eastern part of the cross section was constructed from geologic inference and is not based on seismic data. High mud weights were used while drilling the Humble No. 1 Santa Fe and Pacifi c well (modifi ed from Russell and Snelson, 1984).

8 Geologic Studies of Basin-Centered Gas Systems
10

9

8

7

6

5

4

3

2

1

1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980

YEARS

NUMBER 

OF WILD

CAT

S

PRIMARY

TERTIARY

EXPLORATION

PRIMARY

MESOZOIC

EXPLORATION

SHELL'S

PROGRAM

ALBUQUERQUE BASIN

WILDCAT HISTORY

Table 2. Histogram showing exploration activity in the Albuquerque Basin from 1900 to 1984 (modifi ed from Black, 1999).

0 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 25,000

0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000 6,000 7,000 450

400

350

300

250

200

150

100

50

0

Depth, in feet

Depth, in meters

Corrected temperature, in degrees Fahrenheit

2438 m3139 m

3962 m

Albuquerque Basin, composite 2591 m 100°C

Figure 7. Plot of bottom-hole temperatures versus depths for all wells listed in table 3. The 

gradients plotted are based on uncorrected bottom-hole temperatures and a mean annual surface 

temperature of 45°F (9°C). A best-fi t line through the data points is shown. The average uncorrected geothermal gradient for the entire Albuquerque Basin is about 2.0°F/100 ft (3.67°C/100 m).

Potential for a Basin-Centered Gas Accumulation in the Albuquerque Basin, New Mexico 9
Burial Reconstructions for the 

Albuquerque Basin

Isopach maps of Tertiary rocks in the Albuquerque Basin 

were constructed using well data from Lozinsky (1994) in 

order to better understand the subsidence history of the basin 

and to help defi ne the deepest parts of the basin where a basincentered gas accumulation is likely to occur. The isopach maps 

were constructed using only drill-hole data, and no attempt 

was made to incorporate seismic information. The maps are 

thus very generalized and do not show thickness variations that 

result from the stair-step faulting within the basin. The fi rst 

isopach map is of the combined Eocene Galisteo and Baca 

Formations (fi g. 8). Although these units predate the onset of 

subsidence in the basin, they nonetheless thicken somewhat 

toward the deep trough of the basin. The second isopach map 

Table 3. List of deep oil and gas tests in the Albuquerque Basin with formation tops reported by Petroleum Information, Inc. 

Well Well Location Total depth in Formation Depth in Depth in ft (m) 

no. name feet (meters) feet (meters) (Lozinski, 1994) 

4 Shell 8-9N-1W 11,115 (3,647) Gallup Ss. (Cretaceous) 2,632 (802) 

 1 Laguna Dakota Ss. (Cretaceous) 3,555 (1,084) 

 Wilson Morrison Fm. (Jurassic) 3,950 (1,204) 

 Granite (Precambrian) 11,102 (3,384) 

2 (4,360) (Eocene-Oligocene) (1,460)

 2 Santa Fe Galisteo-Baca Fms., (Eocene) 7,598 (2,316) 

 Top Cretaceous 8,238 (2,510) 

 Mesaverde Group (Cretaceous) 11,030 (3,362) 

 Mancos Shale (Cretaceous) 13,298 (4,053) 

 Todilto Limestone (Jurassic) 13,928 (4,245) 

 Entrada Ss. (Jurassic) 13,954 (4,253) 

 Chinle Fm. (Triassic) 14,058 (4,285) 

10 (3,868) p Cretaceous 8,501 (2,591)

 1 Santa Fe 

3 (3,132) (Eocene-Oligocene) gnized 

 3 Santa Fe Galisteo-Baca Fms., (Eocene) 3,996 (1,218) 

 Top Cretaceous 4,068 (1,240) 

 Menefee Fm. (Cretaceous) 4,144 (1,263) 

 Point Lookout Ss. (Cretaceous) 6,138 (1,871) 

 Gallup Ss. (Cretaceous) 7,404 (2,257) 

 Dakota Ss. (Cretaceous) 8,731 (2,661) 

 Morrison Fm. (Jurassic) 9,078 (2,767) 

1 (3,367) (Eocene-Oligocene) gnized 

 1 Santa Fe Galisteo-Baca Fms., (Eocene) 2,969 (905) 

 Top Cretaceous 3,642 (1,110) 

 Menefee Fm. (Cretaceous) 3,644 (1,111) 

 Point Lookout Ss. (Cretaceous) 4,378 (1,334) 

 Dakota Ss. (Cretaceous) 6,600 (2,012) 

 Morrison Fm. (Jurassic) 6,907 (2,105) 

13 (5,906) (Eocene-Oligocene) (2,603)

 West Mesa Galisteo-Baca Fms., (Eocene) 15,709 (4,788) 

 Top Cretaceous 16,818 (5,126) 

 Point Lookout Ss. (Cretaceous) 16,817 (5,126) 

 Gallup Ss. (Cretaceous) 18,082 (5,511) 

 Mancos Shale (Cretaceous) 18,130 (5,526) 

 Dakota Ss. (Cretaceous) 18,888 (5,757) 

14 (5,079) (Cretaceous) (5,027)

5 (4,982) (Eocene-Oligocene) (2,679)

 1 Isleta Galistero-Baca Fms., (Eocene) 10,551 (3,216) 

 Top Cretaceous 12,041 (3,670) 

 Menefee Fm. (Cretaceous) 12,110 (3,691) 

 Gallup Ss. (Cretaceous) 13,090 (3,990) 

 Mancos Shale (Cretaceous) 13,265 (4,043) 

 Chinle Fm. (Triassic) 13,808 (4,209) 

10 Geologic Studies of Basin-Centered Gas Systems
(fi g. 9) represents the combined thickness of the Galisteo and 

Baca Formations and the overlying “unit of Isleta No. 2 well” 

as defi ned by Lozinsky (1994). The unit is thought to be late 

Eocene to late Oligocene in age and thus spans the onset 

of rifting in the Albuquerque Basin. By the late Oligocene, 

more than 8,200 ft (2,499 m) of sediments and volcanic rocks 

(present-day thickness) had accumulated along the developing 

deep basin trough west of Albuquerque (fi g. 9). The last isopach map includes all Tertiary and younger rocks and unconsolidated sediments (fi g. 10). More than 21,000 ft (6,400 m) of 

sediments and volcanic rocks have accumulated along the deep 

basin trough from the Tertiary to the present.

Burial reconstructions were made for three deep dill holes 

in the Albuquerque Basin from the time of deposition of 

the Cretaceous Dakota Sandstone to the present. The Dakota 

Sandstone, the Point Lookout Sandstone, and the Menefee 

Formation are present in three of the wells. These wells, the 

Shell No. 3 Santa Fe, the Shell No. 1 Santa Fe, and the Shell 

No. 1-24 West Mesa (fi g. 3, table 1) were modeled using 

BasinMod version 7.01 developed by Platte River Associates 

in order to determine the timing of hydrocarbon generation. 

The Shell No. 3 Santa Fe and No. 1 Santa Fe are near cross 

section A-A2 in a comparatively shallow area in the northern 

part of the basin. The Shell No. 1-24 West Mesa well is in a 

much deeper part of the basin farther to the south. 

The data used for the burial reconstructions is shown on 

the stratigraphic charts in fi gure 11. The Cretaceous stratigraphy of the Albuquerque Basin is similar to that of the San Juan 

Basin to the north (Molenaar, 1988b). Principal Cretaceous 

stratigraphic units used in the burial reconstructions are the 

Dakota Sandstone, the Point Lookout Sandstone, and the top 

of the Menefee Formation. These units have not been placed 

Table 4. Bottom-hole temperatures recorded during logging runs for selected deep tests in the Albuquerque Basin. 

[Geothermal gradients listed are average values for the entire hole calculated from uncorrected bottom-hole temperatures assuming a mean annual 

surface temperature of 45 ̊F (7 ̊C). Locations shown on figures 3, 8, 9, and 10]

No. Well name Location Depth in feet 

(meters) 

Bottom-hole 

temperature 

in  ̊F ( ̊ C) 

Geothermal gradient 

in  ̊F /100 ft ( ̊ C/100 m) 

Average gradient for well 

in  ̊F /100 ft ( ̊ C/100 m)

4 Shell 1 8-9N-1W 3,989 (1216) 147 (63) 2.56 (4.7) 2.3 (4.2) 

 Laguna Wilson 11,107 (3,385) 292 (144) 2.23 (4.07) 

2 (972) (44) 2.1 (3.83) (4.01)

 Santa Fe 7,011 (2,137) 204 (96) 2.27 (4.14) 

 8,654 (2,638) 224 (107) 2.07 (3.78) 

 11,238 (3,425) 289 (143) 2.17 (3.96) 

 14,011 (4,271) 347 (175) 2.16 (3.94) 

 14,305 (4,360) 354 (179) 2.16 (3.94) 

7 (1,615) (69) 2.11 (3.85) (3.83)

 1 Isleta 9,175 (2,797) 205 (96) 1.74 (3.17) 

 10,378 (3,163) 267 (131) 2.14 (3.90) 

3 (1,434) (52) 1.72 (3.14) (3.47)

 Santa Fe 8,994 (2,714) 208 (98) 1.81 (2.01) 

 10,276 (3,132) 238 (114) 1.88 (3.43) 

1 (2,114) (87.8) 2.09 (3.81) (3.83)

 Santa Fe 11,045 (3,367) 267 (131) 2.01 (3.67) 

13 (5,359) (172) 1.69 (3.08) (3.1)

 West Mesa 19,350 (5,898) 381 (194) 1.74 (3.17) 

5 (1,623) (81) 2.48 (4.52) (3.83)

 Isleta 8,080 (2,463) 198 (92) 1.77 (3.23) 

 8,909 (2,715) 219 (104) 1.95 (3.56) 

 10,250 (3,124) 250 (121) 2 (3.64) 

 12,396 (3,778) 288 (142) 1.96 (3.58) 

 13,675 (4,168) 339 (171) 2.15 (3.92) 

 14,100 (4,298) 328 (164) 2.01 (3.67) 

 16,346 (4,982) 387 (197) 2.09 (3.81) 

6 (1,524) (59) 1.86 (3.39) (3.47)

 Isletta 9,926 (3,025) 215 (102) 1.71 (3.12) 

 14,525 (4,427) 315 (157) 1.86 (3.39) 

 16,254 (4,954) 370 (188) 2 (3.64) 

 18,227 (5,556) 390 (199) 1.89 (3.45) 

Potential for a Basin-Centered Gas Accumulation in the Albuquerque Basin, New Mexico 11
Quaternary alluvium

Tertiary-Quaternary sedimentary rocks

Tertiary volcanic rocks

Paleozoic-Mesozoic sedimentary rocks

Precambrian crystalline rocks

High mud weights used in Cretaceous

Normal fault

Reverse fault

Transcurrent fault

Fault of multiple

displacement

454 Thickness of isopached interval,

in meters 

400 Contour interval 100 meters

338

10

3

1

13

14

9

6

4

7

12

8

2 11

5

1 Shell Santa Fe-1, 11045', (P-C)

Shell Santa Fe-2, 14305', (Tr)

Shell Santa Fe-3, 10285', (Tr)

Shell Laguna-1, 11115', (P-C)

Shell Isleta-1, 16346', (P)

Shell Isleta-2, 21260', (Tert.)

Transocean Isleta-1, 10322', (P-C)

Humble Santa Fe-1, 12690', (UK)

Carpenter Atrisco-1, 6653', (Tert.)

Humble Santa Fe, B1, 6016', (P-C)

Grober-1, 6300', (Tert.)

Norrins Realty-2, 5024', (Tert.)

Shell 1-24 West Mesa, 19375', (Tr)

UTEX 1-1J1E, (UK)

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

0 10 20 Miles

0 10 20 Km

205

454

427

95

0

0

294

122

200

400

100

200

300

300

A

A'

B

B'

C C'

Nacimento

Mtns

BERNALILLO Sandia

Mtns

ALBUQUERQUE

Rio

Grande

Manzanita

Mtns

Manzano

Mtns

Los

Pinos

Mtns

BERNARDO

Rio

Puerco

BELEN

Ladron

Mtns

Lucero Uplift

1 Shell Santa Fe-1, 11045', (P-C)

Shell Santa Fe-2, 14305', (Tr)

Shell Santa Fe-3, 10276', (Tr)

Shell Laguna-1, 11115', (P-C)

Shell Isleta-1, 16346', (P)

Shell Isleta-2, 21268', (Tert.)

Transocean Isleta-1, 10378', (P-C)

Humble Santa Fe-1, 12690', (UK)

Carpenter Atrisco-1, 6653', (Tert.)

Humble Santa Fe, B1, 6016', (P-C)

Grober-1, 6300', (Tert.)

Norrins Realty-2, 5024', (Tert.)

Shell 1-24 West Mesa, 19375', (Tr)

UTEX 1-1J1E, 16,665 (UK)

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15 Davis 1 Tamara, 8732', (Tr)

16 Davis 1 Angel Eyes, 8074', (Tert.)

17 Twinning 1 NFT, 7441' (Tert.)

18 Burlington 1Y, 7800' (Tr)

15

18

16

17

35 35

107

Figure 8. Isopach map of the combined Eocene Galisteo and Baca Formations, Albuquerque Basin, constructed using data from Lozinski (1994, his table 1).

12 Geologic Studies of Basin-Centered Gas Systems
2523

10

3

1

13

14

9

6

4

7

12

8

2 11

5

1 Shell Santa Fe-1, 11045', (P-C)

Shell Santa Fe-2, 14305', (Tr)

Shell Santa Fe-3, 10285', (Tr)

Shell Laguna-1, 11115', (P-C)

Shell Isleta-1, 16346', (P)

Shell Isleta-2, 21260', (Tert.)

Transocean Isleta-1, 10322', (P-C)

Humble Santa Fe-1, 12690', (UK)

Carpenter Atrisco-1, 6653', (Tert.)

Humble Santa Fe, B1, 6016', (P-C)

Grober-1, 6300', (Tert.)

Norrins Realty-2, 5024', (Tert.)

Shell 1-24 West Mesa, 19375', (Tr)

UTEX 1-1J1E, (UK)

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

0 10 20 Miles

0 10 20 Km

205

991

1097

1051

0

0

22

2075

Quaternary alluvium

Tertiary-Quaternary sedimentary rocks

Tertiary volcanic rocks

Paleozoic-Mesozoic sedimentary rocks

Precambrian crystalline rocks

High mud weights used in Cretaceous

Normal fault

Reverse fault

Transcurrent fault

Fault of multiple

displacement

454 Thickness of isopached interval,

in meters

1000 Contour interval 500 meters

A

A'

B

B'

C C'

Nacimento

Mtns

BERNALILLO Sandia

Mtns

ALBUQUERQUE

Rio

Grande

Manzanita

Mtns

Manzano

Mtns

Los

Pinos

Mtns

BERNARDO

Rio

Puerco

BELEN

Ladron

Mtns

Lucero Uplift

1000

1500

2000

2500

1000

1500

1 Shell Santa Fe-1, 11045', (P-C)

Shell Santa Fe-2, 14305', (Tr)

Shell Santa Fe-3, 10276', (Tr)

Shell Laguna-1, 11115', (P-C)

Shell Isleta-1, 16346', (P)

Shell Isleta-2, 21268', (Tert.)

Transocean Isleta-1, 10378', (P-C)

Humble Santa Fe-1, 12690', (UK)

Carpenter Atrisco-1, 6653', (Tert.)

Humble Santa Fe, B1, 6016', (P-C)

Grober-1, 6300', (Tert.)

Norrins Realty-2, 5024', (Tert.)

Shell 1-24 West Mesa, 19375', (Tr)

UTEX 1-1J1E, 16,665 (UK)

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15 Davis 1 Tamara, 8732', (Tr)

16 Davis 1 Angel Eyes, 8074', (Tert.)

17 Twinning 1 NFT, 7441' (Tert.)

18 Burlington 1Y, 7800' (Tr)

15

18

16

17

35 35

107

Figure 9. Isopach map of the combined Eocene Galisteo and Baca Formations and unnamed “unit of Isleta No. 2 well” (upper Eocene to upper 

Oligocene?) of Lozinski (1994) in the Shell No. 2 Isleta well in sec. 16, T. 8 N., R. 2 E. All thickness data used is from Lozinski (1994, his table 1). The 

isotherm assumes that the average present-day geothermal gradient of 2.0°F/100 ft (3.67°C/100 m) (see fi g. 8).

Potential for a Basin-Centered Gas Accumulation in the Albuquerque Basin, New Mexico 13
Quaternary alluvium

Tertiary-Quaternary sedimentary rocks

Tertiary volcanic rocks

Paleozoic-Mesozoic sedimentary rocks

Precambrian crystalline rocks

High mud weights used in Cretaceous

Normal fault

Reverse fault

Transcurrent fault

Fault of multiple

displacement

10

3

1

13

14

9

6

4

7

12

8

2 11

5

1 Shell Santa Fe-1, 11045', (P-C)

Shell Santa Fe-2, 14305', (Tr)

Shell Santa Fe-3, 10285', (Tr)

Shell Laguna-1, 11115', (P-C)

Shell Isleta-1, 16346', (P)

Shell Isleta-2, 21260', (Tert.)

Transocean Isleta-1, 10322', (P-C)

Humble Santa Fe-1, 12690', (UK)

Carpenter Atrisco-1, 6653', (Tert.)

Humble Santa Fe, B1, 6016', (P-C)

Grober-1, 6300', (Tert.)

Norrins Realty-2, 5024', (Tert.)

Shell 1-24 West Mesa, 19375', (Tr)

UTEX 1-1J1E, (UK)

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

0 10 20 Miles

0 10 20 Km

2591

2511

Control point

Thickness in hundreds of meters

Contour interval 1,000 meters 20

5482

2511

1110

1245

1236

3679

1384

100 ̊C (212 ̊F) at top of Cretaceous

150 ̊C (302 ̊F) at top of Cretaceous

20

10

20

10

A

A'

B

B'

C C'

Nacimento

Mtns

BERNALILLO Sandia

Mtns

ALBUQUERQUE

Rio

Grande

Manzanita

Mtns

Manzano

Mtns

Los

Pinos

Mtns

BERNARDO

Rio

Puerco

BELEN

Ladron

Mtns

Lucero Uplift

30

30

50

40

40

50

60

1 Shell Santa Fe-1, 11045', (P-C)

Shell Santa Fe-2, 14305', (Tr)

Shell Santa Fe-3, 10276', (Tr)

Shell Laguna-1, 11115', (P-C)

Shell Isleta-1, 16346', (P)

Shell Isleta-2, 21268', (Tert.)

Transocean Isleta-1, 10378', (P-C)

Humble Santa Fe-1, 12690', (UK)

Carpenter Atrisco-1, 6653', (Tert.)

Humble Santa Fe, B1, 6016', (P-C)

Grober-1, 6300', (Tert.)

Norrins Realty-2, 5024', (Tert.)

Shell 1-24 West Mesa, 19375', (Tr)

UTEX 1-1J1E, 16665 (UK)

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15 Davis 1 Tamara, 8732', (Tr)

16 Davis 1 Angel Eyes, 8074', (Tert.)

17 Twinning 1 NFT, 7441' (Tert.)

18 Burlington 1Y, 7800' (Tr)

15

18

16

17

35 35

107

for isopach map

Figure 10. Isopach map of the total present-day thickness of Tertiary rocks in the Albuquerque Basin using subsurface drill-hole data of 

Lozinski (1994, his table 1). Tertiary faults are ignored, and, hence, the isopach map is generalized. The approximate areas where the top of 

the Cretaceous has achieved temperatures of 100°C and 150°C (212°F and 302°F) at the present are shaded. The isotherms assume an average 

present-day geothermal gradient of 2.0°F/100 ft (3.67°C/100 m) (see fi g. 7).

14 Geologic Studies of Basin-Centered Gas Systems
within the standard Western Interior Cretaceous biozones in 

the area of the Albuquerque Basin but have been extensively 

studied in the San Juan Basin to the north. In the eastern part 

of the San Juan Basin, the Dakota Sandstone is within the 

Acanthoceras amphibolum biozone (Dane, and others, 1966), 

which has been dated at about 95 million years (Obradovich, 

1993). The Point Lookout Sandstone falls near the top of the 

Scaphites hippocrepis zone (Gill and Cobban, 1966), which 

is dated at about 81.5 million years (Obradovich, 1993). The 

top of the Menefee Formation in the Albuquerque Basin is 

assumed to be in the Baculites obtusus ammonite zone, which 

is about the age of the top of the Menefee in the easternmost 

part of the San Juan Basin (Gill and Cobban, 1966). Age of 

the Baculites obtusus zone is 80.5 million years (Obradovich, 

1993). 

The thickness of the interval from the top of the Dakota 

Sandstone to the top of the Point Lookout Sandstone varies 

from 2,071 ft (631 m) in the Shell No. 1-24 West Mesa well 

to 2,593 ft (790 m) in the Shell No. 3 Santa Fe well (table 

3). This is similar to the San Juan Basin, where Law (1992) 

reported thicknesses of 2,020 ft (616 m) and 2,200 ft (671 m) 

for the same interval (Law, 1992, fi gs. 6 and 7). The interval 

from the top of the Point Lookout to the top of the Cretaceous 

interval varies much more widely—from 0 ft in the Shell No. 

1-24 Mesa well to 2,070 ft (631 m) in the Shell No. 3 Santa 

Fe well (table 3). This variation is due to differences in the 

amount of section removed beneath the Cretaceous-Tertiary 

unconformity. The same interval in the two wells cited by Law 

(1992) in the San Juan Basin varies from 2,980 ft (908 m) for 

the well on the south fl ank of the basin to 4,020 ft (1,225 m) 

for the well near the basin trough. 

As in the Albuquerque Basin, different amounts of erosion beneath the Cretaceous-Tertiary unconformity in the San 

Juan Basin are largely responsible for this variation. Law 

(1992) estimated that about 300 ft (90 m) of section had been 

removed beneath the Cretaceous-Tertiary unconformity at a 

location near the basin trough, for a total original thickness of 

4,320 ft (1,317 m) for the post Point Lookout section. Law 

also estimated that about 750 ft (230 m) of section had been 

removed beneath the unconformity at the location on the south 

fl ank of the basin, for a total original thickness of 3,730 ft 

(1,137 m) of post-Point Lookout Cretaceous rocks. For the 

Albuquerque Basin reconstructions, we assume an original 

thickness of 4,000 ft (1,220 m) of post-Point Lookout Sandstone Cretaceous rocks.

Figure 11 shows the sediment thicknesses and ages used 

in the burial reconstructions of the three wells. Age of the 

oldest rocks above the Cretaceous-Tertiary unconformity is 

Eocene (Lozinsky, 1994). An age of 50 million years is 

assumed for the oldest Eocene strata at all three wells modeled. These Eocene strata are also present on the fl anks of 

the Albuquerque Basin and predate the onset of rifting. It is 

assumed that downcutting of Cretaceous strata beneath the 

unconformity began at the end of the Cretaceous (66 Ma) and 

continued at an even pace until 50 million years ago. For two 

wells, the Shell No. 3 Santa Fe and the Shell No. 1 Santa 

Fe, continuous deposition at a constant rate is assumed from 

50 Ma to the present. Somewhat more data is available for 

the Shell 1-24 West Mesa well. According to Lozinski (1994), 

1,109 ft (338 m) of strata were deposited by late Eocene 

time (40 Ma). An additional 7,169 ft (2,185 m) of strata was 

deposited between 40 Ma and the end of the Oligocene, at 25 

Ma. The remaining 8,540 ft (2,603 m) of fi ll was deposited 

between 25 Ma and the present. Geothermal gradients used 

are 1.9°F/100 ft for the No. 3 Santa Fe well, 2.1°F/100 ft for 

the Santa Fe No. 1 well, and 1.7°F/100 ft for the 1-24 West 

Mesa well. 

The burial reconstructions indicate that, in two of the wells 

(the Shell No. 3 Santa Fe and the Shell No. 1 Santa Fe), 

potential source rocks in the Mancos Shale and overlying Cretaceous section are immature and have not generated signifi cant 

hydrocarbons (fi gs. 12, 13). In the third well, the Shell No. 

1-24 West Mesa, hydrocarbon generation began at the base of 

the Mancos Shale about 20 million years ago (fi gs. 14, 15). 

Cretaceous source rocks had not generated signifi cant amounts 

of hydrocarbons prior to the onset of rifting and creation of the 

Albuquerque Basin in the Oligocene. The onset of signifi cant 

hydrocarbon generation in the Shell No. 1-24 West Mesa well 

corresponds to a temperature of about 212°F (100°C). Using 

an average geothermal gradient of 2.0°F/100 ft (3.3°C/100 m) 

for the basin, this temperature would occur at a depth of about 

8,350 ft. (2,545 m). The Cretaceous section has been buried to 

this depth over a large area of the Albuquerque Basin (fi g. 10).

Formation Pressures

Basin-centered gas accumulations are typically abnormally overpressured or abnormally underpressured, with overpressuring the result of volume increases during hydrocarbon 

generation and underpressured conditions developing during 

uplift and cooling. Because the Albuquerque Basin is currently 

at maximum burial and heating, it is unlikely that any basincentered accumulation there would be underpressured. If overpressured conditions exist in the basin, then a basin-centered 

accumulation may be present. The most reliable formationpressure information is obtained from drill-stem tests. Only 2 

of the 10 deepest wells in the basin had a reliable drill-stem 

test in the Cretaceous section. The Dakota Sandstone was 

tested in the Shell 1 Laguna-Wilson Trust well (fi g. 3) at a 

depth of 3,600 to 3,651 ft (1,097–1,113 m). The test recovered 

48 barrels of water. Shut-in pressures indicate a normal hydrostatic fl uid pressure gradient of 0.43 psi/ft. The Shell No. 

1 Santa Fe well also tested the Dakota Sandstone, but at a 

much greater depth of 6,720 to 6,753 ft (2,048–2,053 m). 

This test recovered 5,172 ft (1,576 m) of water. Shut-in pressures indicate a fl uid-pressure gradient of 0.43 psi/ft (normal 

hydrostatic pressure). The normally pressured water in the 

shallow test would be expected, as a basin-centered accumulation would not be expected at this depth. The deeper water test 

at more than 6,700 ft (2,400 m) is problematical. Active gas 

Potential for a Basin-Centered Gas Accumulation in the Albuquerque Basin, New Mexico 15
Sandstone with shale

Mainly shale

Coal

Missing interval

EXPLANATION

0

50 Ma

66 Ma

81.5 Ma

95 Ma

0

50 Ma

66 Ma

81.5 Ma

95 Ma

0

25 Ma

50 Ma

66 Ma

81.5 Ma

95 Ma

 3995 ft

(1218 m)

72 ft (22 m)

 4000 ft

(1220 m)

 2593 ft

(790 m)

 2969 ft

(905 m)

 673 ft

(205 m)

 4000 ft

(1220 m)

 2222 ft

(677 m)

 8540 ft

(2603 m)

 7169 ft

(2185 m)

40 Ma

1109 ft

(338 m)

 4000 ft

(1220 m)

 2071 ft

(631 m)

Dakota Ss.

Mancos sh.

(source)

Point Lookout

 Ss.

 remaining above

 Point Lookout Ss.

2070' (631 m) of Cret.

Dakota Ss.

Mancos Sh.

 (source)

Point Lookout Ss.

736 ft (224 m) of 

Cret. remaining

Dakota Ss.

Mancos Sh.

(source)

Point Lookout Ss.

0' of Cret.

remaining

Shell

No. 3 Santa Fe

Shell

No. 1 Santa Fe

Shell

No. 1-24 West Mesa

Gradient

1.9°

°

F/100 ft

Gradient

2.1°

°

F/100 ft

Gradient

1.7 °

°

F/100 ft

Top of Menefee

Formation

Top of Menefee

 Formation

Top of Menefee

 Formation

(3.49 C/100 m) (3.82 C/100 m) (3.08 C/100 m)

Galisteo and

Baca Fms.

Santa Fe Group

Late Oligocene

and younger

Galisteo and

Baca Fms. Galisteo and

Baca Fms.

Figure 11. Stratigraphic diagrams showing present-day thicknesses and ages of rocks from the Dakota Sandstone to the 

present in the three wells used for burial reconstructions. Location of wells shown on fi gures 3, 8, 9, or 10. Vertical scale 

is variable.

16 Geologic Studies of Basin-Centered Gas Systems
0

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

10,000150 100 50 0

Age (Ma)

Depth (feet)

K P E O M P R Fm

100 ̊F

200 ̊F

Tert

Sandstone

Mesaverde 1

Mancos

Dakota

t=0

Shell No. 3 Sante Fe

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

3,000

Depth (meters)

50 ̊C

100 ̊C

Figure 12. Burial reconstruction showing depths and temperatures for the Shell No. 3 Santa Fe 

well in sec. 28, T. 13 N., R. 1 E. Location of well shown on fi gures 3, 8, 9, or 10.

K 0

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000150 100 50 0

Age (Ma)

Depth (feet)

P E O M P R Fm

100 ̊F

200 ̊F

Tert

Sandstone

Mesaverde 1

Mancos

Dakota

t=0

Shell No. 1 Sante Fe

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

Depth (meters)

50 ̊C

Figure 13. Burial reconstruction showing depths and temperatures for the Shell No. 1 Santa Fe 

well in sec. 18, T. 13 N., R. 3 E. Location of well shown on fi gure 3. 

Potential for a Basin-Centered Gas Accumulation in the Albuquerque Basin, New Mexico 17
0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000150 100 50 0

Age (Ma)

Depth (feet)

K P E O M P R Fm

100 ̊F

200 ̊F

Tert

Sandstone

Mancos

Dakota

t=0

Shell No. 1-24 West Mesa

Tert 1

100 ̊F

300 ̊F

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

6,000

Depth (meters)

Figure 14. Burial reconstruction showing depths and temperatures in for the Shell No. 1-24 West Mesa well in sec. 24, T. 11 N., R. 1 E. Location 

of well shown on fi gure 3. Light shaded area brackets period of gas generation by Cretaceous source rocks. Dark shaded area brackets period 

of peak gas generation by Cretaceous source rocks.

K P E O M P R

Shell No. 1-24 West Mesa

0

8

6

4

2

150 100 50 0

Age (Ma)

Rate of gas generation (mg/g TOC*m.y.)

Mancos

Figure 15. Rate of gas generation in milligrams (mg) per gram (g) of total organic carbon (TOC) per million years (m.y.) at the base of the 

Cretaceous Mancos Shale in the Shell No. 1-24 West Mesa well (sec. 24, T. 11 N., R. 1 E). The second peak, which began about 5 Ma, is due to 

the breakdown of oil to gas. Location of well shown on fi gures 3, 8, 9, or 10.

18 Geologic Studies of Basin-Centered Gas Systems
25,000

20,000

15,000

10,000

5,000

0

0 2 4 6 8 10 12

Mud weight (pounds)

Depth (feet)

150°C

100°C

EXPLANATION

Depth (feet)

Linear [depth (feet)]

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

6,000

7,000

Depth (meters)

Figure 16. Graph of mud weight versus depth for the eight wells listed in table 4. Approximate 

depth to the 100°C and 150°C (212°F and 302°F) isotherms were calculated assuming an average 

geothermal gradient of 2.0°F/100 ft (3.67°C/100 m) for the entire Albuquerque Basin. Heavy line is 

best-fi t linear relationship between mud weight and depth.

Table 5. List of mud weights recorded during logging runs for selected deep tests in the 

Albuquerque Basin. 

[Locations shown on figures 3, 8, 9, and 10] 

Well no. Well name Location Depth in ft (m) Mud weight (lb)

4 Shell 1 Laguna Wilson 8-9N-1W 3989 (1,216) 9.2 

2 Shell 2 Santa Fe 29-6N-1W 11,238 (3,425) 10.2 

 14,305 (4,360) 10.6 

10 Humble 1 Santa Fe 18-6N-1W 10,095 (3,077) 9.4 

 10,853 (3,308) 9.4 

 12,160 (3,706) 9.7 

7 Transocean 1 Isleta 8-8N-3E 9,175 (2,797) 10.5 

3 Shell 3 Santa Fe 28-13N-1E 8,994 (2,741) 9.9 

 10,276 (3,132) 10.2 

1 Shell 1 Santa Fe 18-3N-3E 6,937 (2,114) 9.2 

13 Shell 1-24 West Mesa 24-11N-1E 19,350 (5,898) 11.1 

14 Utex 1-1J1E 1-10N-1E 16,665 (5,079) 9.4 

5 Shell 1 Isleta 7-7N-2E 12,396 (3,778) 9.9 

 13,675 (4,168) 10.1 

 14,100 (4,298) 10.2 

Potential for a Basin-Centered Gas Accumulation in the Albuquerque Basin, New Mexico 19
generation and the presence of a basin-centered gas accumulation might be expected at this depth.

Less reliable formation-pressure information can be 

obtained from mud weights measured during drilling. A continuous record of mud weights used is typically recorded on 

mud logs made while drilling. Spot recordings of mud weights 

at the time of logging runs are listed on the header information 

on geophysical logs. Table 5 is a list of mud weights from log 

headers for nine of the deepest wells in the basin. Mud weights 

versus depth for these wells is plotted on fi gure 16. A mud 

weight of 10 lb corresponds to a pressure gradient of 0.519 

psi/ft, or moderate overpressuring. High mud weights—indicating overpressuring—were used while drilling through the 

Cretaceous section in fi ve of the deeper wells in the basin.

Conclusions

It appears likely that the deep central portion of the Albuquerque Basin contains a basin-centered gas accumulation that 

is developing at the present time. The area contains a largely 

intact Cretaceous section similar to the Cretaceous interval that 

contains a basin-centered accumulation in the nearby San Juan 

Basin. High mud weights are typically used while drilling the 

Cretaceous interval in this area, suggesting some degree of 

overpressuring. Gas shows have been reported while drilling 

through the Cretaceous interval throughout this area. Attempts 

to complete gas wells in the Cretaceous have resulted in subeconomic quantities of gas, primarily because of low permeabilities. Little water has been reported. All of these characteristics are typical of basin-centered gas accumulations in other 

Rocky Mountain basins. Burial reconstructions suggest that 

large amounts of gas are being generated by Cretaceous source 

rocks at the present time. This is different from other Rocky 

Mountain basins where rates of gas generation have declined 

signifi cantly since regional uplift and downcutting began about 

10 million years ago. This regional uplift was offset in the 

Albuquerque Basin by rapid subsidence.

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20 Geologic Studies of Basin-Centered Gas Systems
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Manuscript approved for publication June 21, 2001

Published in the Central Region, Denver, Colorado

Editing, layout, photocomposition—Richard W. Scott, Jr.

Cover design—Carol A. Quesenberry

Graphics by the authors

Potential for a Basin-Centered Gas Accumulation in the Albuquerque Basin, New Mexico 21